A mother, calf and escort were headed, at a good clip, in my direction. I first noticed

them about 500 yards away. Since it looked like they would pass my location about 25 to 50 yards

inshore, from my position, I decided to get in the water and see if I could glimpse them

as they passed. I put on my gear and got in the water and looked to my left in the vicinity

of where I thought they would pass if they maintained their current course. At some point, I felt

a presence to my right and looked over and here was the escort coming at me, full speed.

He was only about 10' below the surface and was rising as he came. I don't think he was aware of

me and I just hung on the surface. I couldn't see his eyes, so he probably couldn't see me.

I watched him swim right underneath me and when he was about halfway past me, he either saw me

or caught a glimpse of my surf ski. At this point, I'm looking at his back about 5' below me. All of a

sudden, I saw this massive body do what I can only call a giant quiver. I felt the water turbulence

around me and watched the tail that was coming at me, take a strong and powerful stroke down

and then return, coming very quickly, right at me. As the tail came up at me, it twisted, going from

horizontal to vertical, and the thrust of the water, sent me tumbling away. I don't know if the tail

broke the surface after passing me but I looked up after the whale had passed and my surfski

was still riding a swell from the tail's disturbance on the surface. The whale slowed down and came

back and checked me out from a safe distance before continuing on and joining the female and calf.

I swear he wanted to see what had startled him and make sure everything was OK.

His mouth is clearly visible as he is starting to swim under me.

A mass of whale, just before he was startled by me or the surf ski.

After he passed and made a hard right turn, coming back. You can see the massive amount

of air bubbles and disturbance in the water from his quick movements and tail. As the tail came

up at me, I half expected to be launched but as it twisted on axis, I was safely left in its wake.

There was a whirl pool (underwater tornado) about three feet from me that lasted for quite a

few seconds.